April 28, 2014

HENDERSONVILLE – Earth Day lives on! The Environmental and Conservation Organization, aka ECO, will celebrate Earth Day through environmental service projects at its Third Annual Earth Stewardship Day from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Saturday, May 3, across sites in Hendersonville. Volunteers are invited to participate in community-based work projects.

The event will take place rain or shine but will be cancelled in case of severe weather. Volunteers should register online at www.eco-wnc.org . The deadline to register is midnight tonight, that’s Monday, April 28.

Stream bank restoration project near Patton Park in Hendersonville, coordinated by Hendersonville Engineering and Public Works Departments and ECO’s Green Infrastructure Committee.

For the garden expansion project at the Girl Scout Hut, vegetable seeds and vegetable starts may be donated before and on the day of the project. Donors can deliver seeds and starts to the ECO office at 611 N. Church St. in Hendersonville before May 3 or bring them to the worksite on the day of the event.

“Several of these projects build on work done during the first and second Earth Stewardship Day events,” said Seirisse Baker, ECO’s Water Quality Administrator and co-coordinator of the Earth Stewardship Day projects.

“This is an opportunity to spend a spring day outside with friends and family, get some exercise, and make a lasting, positive impact in our communities. I’m looking forward to working alongside the wonderful groups of people who join us to protect and enhance our natural resources.”

Earth Stewardship Day events are sponsored by these local businesses — Biz611.com, HomeTrust Bank, Danny’s Dumpster, NC Printing, and City Market.

To learn more, visit the ECO website at www.eco-wnc.org or call 828-692-0385.

April 21, 2014

Tuesday, April 22, is Earth Day, but as it happens for the past 44 years, when Earth Day falls on a weekday, it’s usually celebrated all week long. (Although we all know it should be all year long).

Chimney Rock State Park

The N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, which oversees the state park system, is holding events at the parks from the mountains to the sea this coming Saturday, showing support for environmental protection and sustainability.

Following is a list of public events at parks in Western North Carolina:

Saturday, April 26:

• 1 p.m., meet park staff at the Education Center to begin a guided hike along the Balsam Nature Trail in Mount Mitchell State Park in Burnsville, off NC 128 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Wear hiking shoes and be prepared for all types of weather, including wind, rain and snow.

• 11 a.m., planting native trees in New River State Park in Laurel Springs. Bring work gloves and water for drinking. All tools will be provided. Meet at U.S. 221 Access Visitor Center.

• 11 a.m., join state parks staff, biologists and other environmental educators at Chimney Rock State Park (off U.S. 64/74A east of Asheville) to learn about work being done to protect the landscape in the park. The event is free. Booths will be in the Chimney Rock Village behind the Old Rock Café. Meet at the Riverwalk behind the café.

• 2 p.m., meet at the Cicero Branch parking area in South Mountains State Park in Connelly Springs. There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the grand opening of the Kids in Parks TRACK Trail at South Mountains State Park. The ceremony will be followed by a ranger-led hike and Animal Olympics games.

April 22, 2013

I know it can be overwhelming to think about what you can do when things can seem to be such a mess. But every little, little bit really does add up to a big thing and does help.

One thing you can do is DRIVE LESS.

That’s something I struggle with all the time. I try to drive as little as I can, to combine errand trips and carpool whenever I can.

If you are on a bus route, consider taking the bus. Today, Monday, April 22, the city of Ashevillewill reduce the cash fare for transit to 25 cents. For information, call 828-253-5691, e-mail iride@ashevillenc.gov or visit www.ridetheart.com.

Just try it one day if you’ve never taken the bus, or if you take it all the time, save some cash, and save the burning of some fossil fuels, which contributes to air pollution and destroying of the environment.

And, if you do need to drive, like many of us do, DON”T IDLE YOUR CAR! That means, don’t sit there with the car running while you’re waiting to pick up your kids at school, stay away from the drive thrus, the fast-food crap places, the drive-thru banks, the drug stores, etc. Unless you have a broken leg, park the car, get out and go inside. Or better yet, hold off on buying stuff today.

Turn off your heat (really, you don’t need it anymore, just throw on an extra sweater), and turn off the lights!

Lights use electricity, and unless you have solar panels on your home (yay for you if you do!), that electricity is coming from a coal-fired power plant. And really, what is good about a coal-belching power plant?

Plant some flowers, a tree or some baby tomatoes in your yard, or in your neighbor’s yard. Just do something nice for the Earth today!

Happy Earth Day!

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About this blog

Karen Chavez and her dog Shelby will take you on their outdoor adventures in one of the greatest outdoor towns in America. They also want to hear about your adventures and answer your outdoor questions.
Contact Karen by email at kchavez@CITIZEN-TIMES.com.